Searching for ghetto heaven

The first feature from Craig Brewer, winner of the audience award at the Sundance Festival, is about DJay, a black pimp who makes a living by controlling three prostitutes.

But he wants better and tries to break into the glitzy world of the successful rapper.

Terrence Howard plays DJay with the charisma of a natural actor in this highly coloured, melodramatic piece of ghetto music theatre.

Unfortunately the screenplay can only be dimly deciphered through the black Memphis patois.

What the film has is pace and abundant energy. What it hasn't got is any real sense as to why DJay and co are as they are.

Hustle & Flow
Cert: cert15